Ministerial Statement: Stay safe on the train this festive season

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Minister for Transport, Trade, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
13/12/2007

Stay safe on the train this festive season

The Queensland Police Railway Squad, transit officers and private security guards are among personnel patrolling the QR Citytrain network over the festive season to help keep passengers safe and secure.

Minister for Transport John Mickel today said a raft of security measures, ranging from random patrols to the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) system, were in place to increase the safety of train travel day and night.

"The festive season is upon us and with plenty of parties and functions to attend, many people are sensibly choosing to use public transport instead of driving," Mr Mickel said.

"QR and its security personnel are absolutely dedicated to helping Citytrain passengers arrive to their destinations safe and sound."

Mr Mickel said the 54-member QPS Railway Squad patrolled the network in uniform or plain clothes from early in the morning until the last train every day.

"The rail squad members operate from purpose-built police outposts positioned across the network to enable them to be locally responsive to crime and anti-social behaviour," he said.

Mr Mickel said 110 Translink transit officers closely monitored passenger behaviour, controlled fare evasion and provided a security presence and customer assistance.

"Private security guards are also present on about 40 per cent of Citytrain services after 6pm to deter crime. These services are identified as 'Guardian Trains' in Citytrain timetables," he said.

All services are subject to random patrols by police, transit officers and private security guards.

"Train guards and station staff are also on hand to help passengers - guards can administer basic first aid and, in more serious instances, minimise injury and assist until professional medical attention," Mr Mickel said.

He also said passengers would soon notice a range of emotive posters in train carriages and at stations, featuring actual QR staff and Railway Squad members and outlining their roles and duties.

"These posters are designed to increase awareness - for example one of the posters features two of our transit officers urging customers not to risk a fine by always purchasing your ticket before you travel," he said.

Mr Mickel also said the state government had established the After Dark Security program, which has now been rolled out to 34 Citytrain stations. This initiative provides additional security staff at selected stations from nightfall to the last train.

"The Queensland Government has also allocated almost $10 million to upgrade CCTV across the network. This program includes the replacement of analogue CCTV at 72 stations with a state-of-the-art digital system. Cameras are being installed at 23 stations and sealed car parks currently without CCTV."

Mr Mickel also reminded customers about Core Safety Zones, marked with blue and white striped lines, located on most station platforms.

"These zones have an enhanced level of lighting, are covered by CCTV and have an emergency help phone," he said.

"Multiple emergency phones are also available onboard all Citytrain services and help phone buttons are located near the doorways in every carriage and throughout the carriage in some new models - activation of the help phone will put the caller in direct contact with the guard or driver who can arrange the appropriate response."

For more information about QR customer service go to: http://www.citytrain.com.au/about/guide/default.asp

December 13, 2007

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